The body of a 35-year-old Congressional staffer for U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) was found on fire as investigators shared her chilling last words.
The body of Regina Ann Santos-Aviles was on fire when emergency responders were called to her home Saturday night, the Daily Mail reports.
Her mother, Nora Ann Gonzales, said it was an accident, and her daughter's final words were "I don't want to die."
Emergency responders told her, "We will do our best to make sure we get you taken care of," her mother said.
Santos-Aviles' mother said she was on the phone with her daughter, who was distraught, and saying she wanted her son, according to the San Antonio Express News. She drove to her daughter's home and found her outside.
The Texas Rangers and the Uvalde Police Department were investigating her death.
'When we arrived, we learned of a fire behind the residence that had been put out with a fire extinguisher,' the fire department chief Mario Rangel told the San Antonio Express-News.
The Bexar County Medical Examiner said the case is still pending and could take about 12-16 weeks to identify the manner and cause of her death.
Rep. Tony Gonzales issued a statement.
“We are all heart-stricken by the recent news. Regina devoted her profession toward making a difference in her community. She will always be remembered for her passion towards Uvalde and helping the community become a better place,” he said.
Santos-Aviles was a mother to an 8-year-old son and was based in Uvalde. She started working as the regional district director for Gonzales’ office in 2021.